Quick A/N: Small mentions of self harm/suicide in the fourth PoV. Just a heads up and if you don't feel comfortable reading that please please PM/DM me and I'll summarize it for you :)).

Abram Butcher, Day 8

Time: 5:24 AM (5;58)

Quadrant~ 4

"We've got to be getting close, right?" I ask and Allegro just shrugs lightly.

"I honestly don't know, we've been wandering for a while now."

"You're not wrong but we can't be lost, not today at least."

"I know," Allegro says, turning left as we navigate through the icy torchlit darkness.

"My gosh, even with these extra jackets, I'm freezing." I reply, trying to cut the tension hanging so heavily in the air between us. It's clear Al's on edge today, but who isn't? We're getting closer and closer to only one survivor, of course, everyone's gonna be at least a little tense.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, blood pumping in my ears. I'm both ready and terrified for what the feast will bring. Hopefully, both Al and I can survive but I know if we get ourselves into too much trouble I have to book it out of there.

I've gotten pretty close to the boy from Two, even though I told myself I wouldn't. I made myself promise not to seek friendship in the boy but that devilishly failed. Pulling out my heartstrings at having someone to talk to besides Lily-

"Wait Abram, the smokes getting denser," Allegro says, pulling on the sleeve of my hoodie.

"Huh?" I ask.

"If the smokes thicker we're getting closer to the fire of a cornucopia." He explains.

"Oh, that makes a lot of sense," I nod and his dark tan features shoot me a small smile.

Soon, we do in fact, reach the fire. It's tall flames billowing smoke across the arena. Making a cover for tributes to sneak up on each other. Of course, the smoke is hard to breathe in but after a few days, I got used to it. Lily and I had gotten pretty far from the cornucopia at first so the air was relatively easier to breathe.

"Shaboom," I say to Allegro who peers down at the cornucopia. I think he expects someone to come running out as soon the lights strike on but I don't know. It's not like wouldn't be surprised if one or two do but I have a feeling it's gonna be the waiting game.

"I guess we wait for n-" I say but I'm interrupted by the crackle and pop of the lights switching back on. The beaming stage lights glare down at us.

I look at Allegro and he nods slightly, both of us staring down at the cornucopia. Waiting as the minutes roll into hours yet still no sign of anyone else.

"It's been almost an hour," Allegro says, pointing out the obvious after quite a while of shallow silence.

"Only an hour?" I ask

"About." He replies and I roll my eyes his way, to which he responds by jokingly shaking his head.

"Yeah, no one's moving," I reply.

"Should we keep waiting or make our move?"

"I guess we could make the first move?" I reply, not exactly sure if it's our best option but someone has to. "But the careers, mhm, maybe not?"

"Well, I guess we'll just have to see. I say we go, make the first move."

"You sure?"

"Well, someone's gotta make the first play," Allegro says, nodding surly.

"Alright then, let's do this thing," I reply, the words falling from my lips with little thought.

"Cool," Allegro says and I nod slightly. He hands me the axe from his belt, glancing into the bright embers below us. The cornucopia that held it's flames to the ceiling, burning towards what I presume is the ceiling.

"Yes," I reply, gently taking the long and study axe from his grasp. He stares at the weapon for a second, lost in his own thoughts.

"Allegro?" I ask and he turns to me, snapping out of his trace.

"Let's do this, you want me to go as backup?" he says, pretending like nothing happened.

"I can go backward like we've planned." I say and he nods, tugging at the strings of the fireproof sweatshirt wrapping around his frame. Both of us had put on the thick material as the feast's materials are located in the fire itself. This feast wasn't like normal feasts, no, this time we have to actually brave the demons of the flames to find the bags marked with a Ten and a Two.

What if I grab Anne's bag by accident? We hadn't allied but we are close and I don't want to take what she needs. Are the bags even different at all? Yes, there are materials but are the bags special to the person, or just a general collection of supplies? I guess we'll have to see, I just have to hope I don't grab Anne's.

"Three. Two." Allegro says.

"One." I nod and we both take off. Allegro goes in front of me and I turn around, running backward to watch for anyone who'd try to run at us.

Anella Finch, Day 8

Time: 6:49 AM (6:46)

Quadrant~ 3

"You have to listen to me," Ciara pleads, tugging on my arm. "Please, just come on."

"Yes. I see them." I nod, shifting my gaze to Abram and the boy from Two making their way to the giant bonfire of a glowing cornucopia. Abram and I are pretty close, even though we didn't ally with each other, and I don't want to be the one to kill him.

"We have to stop them," Ciara says, narrowing her eyes.

"Why? Why them?"

"Because they're targets, Anne."

"What if we wait, the careers are bound to come out anyway." I suggest and Ciara rolls her eyes, letting a small sigh escape her lips.

"Then we stab the careers too," Ciara says, bouncing lightly on her heels.

"Stabbing isn't the answer to everything, you do know that, right?"

"Yes, of course, it just happens to be the answer when we're in the fucking hunger games. Face it, everyone in here will have to die for me to win."

"You win?" I mumble under my breath and she takes no mind. I know it's likely I won't be able to win but I'm not going down without a fight and if that means that Ciara has to die, I'm fine. She deserves death for everything she's done. Too much pain she caused.

"Stop being so stubborn, if we don't go down now they'll be gone. A missed opportunity."

"I just don't want to," I say, shaking my wrist from her death grip. She rolls her eyes and gives me a fierce look. I sling my bow off my shoulder and in a few seconds, my crossbow is aimed at her chest with an arrow quivering in its shaft.

"Fine, I'll go by myself." She replies, holding out her hands, appearing like she was done with me. I lower my crossbow and narrow my eyes.

"Go ahead, go get yourself killed." I nod, trying not to let any emotion spill from my lips. I want to kill Ciara, not Allegro and Abram, but can I? No, that's the whole problem.

That bitch deserves to die but I doubt I can shoot her. Empty threats, that's all I've been aiming at her chest. Empty ass threats. I can't even be mad at myself, not with how conflicted I feel.

Yes, I'm so freaking sad about the death of my best friend but I guess I have to keep moving. Keep going. Ciara's words can't help but echo through my head, pulling apart my thoughts. I really shouldn't listen to her, a big piece of my heart faded along with the girl from Nine. But there's a small whispering voice telling me- you know what? Screw Ciara, I can tell she's playing with my emotions. She's messed up my head, that idiot, I hate her.

I'm the idiot here though, why had I let Sunna go alone with Zach? Why had I gone along with Ciara's wicked plan? I should have known better not to trust her, I just thought the Ciara I once knew was still in there somewhere. Caged and enslaved by the monster standing beside me. I thought with a glistening strand of hope I could change her, bring back the Ciara I used to know. Now I know, I was terribly wrong.

So freaking wrong and it's the reason my best friend's dead now. The siblings she left behind witnessing the death of their older sister on national television. All because of me, all because of my idiotness. She's gone, forever, there's nothing I can do to change the past. I can't, no matter how much I want to, fix what I've done. I've made a mistake letting her go with Zach. She deserved so much better than me, I was a terrible friend, simple as that. I had let Sunna slip from my life, walk right out with Zach. I. Let. Her. Go. I messed up, big freaking time.

But I can't, I won't, let that rule my life. I can't focus on Sunna's death when I've got my own life to save. I have to break free from this murder prison. One that's stained my hands a bright crimson, one that's shattered my truth, one that played with my heart like a child with a toy.

I hate this game. I hate it with all my heart but I'm here, nothing I can do about that. Wishing and hoping won't get me anywhere. Not a chance. Problems in life aren't solved by moping around. Yes, it's fine to break down. Breaking down is a part of life but afterward, you have to get up and try your goddamn hardest. Nothing will be handed to you so you have to try your best. Your harde-

"Fine then," Ciara says, pulling me back down to the smoky arena. Destroying my thoughts.

Ciara Teal, Day 8

Time: 6:53 AM (6:53)

Quadrant~3

I glance back at Anne before turning into the cold wind. My wavy dark-brown hair clings to the breeze as it blows by, chanting a hollow whisper of goodbye. Swirling as I confidently step out of Anne and mine's hiding place- one of the ice walls bordering the circle around the bonfire of a cornucopia.

Gritting my teeth together, I take off towards the two boys below. Abram holds out a strong axe and Allegro a long, curved dagger. He had another knife tucked in his belt but he wouldn't be needing that. I'd kill him before he even realized what happened. Both weapons engraved with flame-like details and swirling layers of steal. Twin expressions of determination label the boys' features.

I let out a small cry into the zephyr as I sprint towards the duo. Abram stands behind Allegro, facing backward. Facing me. Our eyes lock for a second before he tugs at Allegro's sleeve. He shouts something to his partner and Allegro nods, whipping around to face me. His fireproof sweatshirt blowing gently against his muscular frame.

He stays still for a second, watching me. But soon he shakes his head and takes off straight for me. Sprinting against the fierce wind, knife brandished in front of his torso. He runs at me and soon we're only three yards apart. Allegro throws himself at me and I quickly unsheath my sword. Clashing it against his blade. The metal pangs in my ears but I just narrow my eyes. Clearly, the career's the threat here but Ciara, don't let Abram out of your sight. I've come too far just to be stabbed in the back by my idiotness.

I let out a grunt, stepping to the left as Allegro drives his knife towards my side. It misses my torso by just under an inch and he narrows his eyes my way. Abram lets out a scream from the left of me but I drown him out. I pivot in place, my sword slashing through the air. I hold my breath, waiting to contact the boy from Two's flesh.

All it grasps as air and I hiss into the smoky, crisp air. Allegro's dagger comes hurling toward me but I duck to the left. His dagger only scathes my arm and dark red liquid starts to drip steadily from my hoodie sleeve. My breath quickens as I lightly touch the wound, pain screaming through my body.

My fingers pull away from my arm, the sticky dark liquid clinging to my fingertips. I snap my head back to Allegro and run my fingers beneath my eyes. The blood leaving two trails, a paint of utmost war. He lowers his head and in a quick flash of an instant, Abram comes into view, running straight at me.

"You bitch." I murmur under my breath, I hold out my sword and the boy throws himself at me. He traps me on the ground, knee's pinning my arms to the ashes beneath us. I grit my teeth, pain coursing through my veins. He rests his axe against my throat but I just narrow my eyes.

I pop my hips up, pulling in my arms methodically at the same time. Pushing him forwards and giving me just enough time to roll out from beneath him. He lets out a cry as I get to my feet, Abram pinning me gave Allegro just enough time to circle behind me. Obviously, their plan was well thought out but I could care less.

Both of them run towards me, the boy from Ten clashing against my sword. With a quick flicking hand movement, his stomach slices into my sword. Dark liquid splatters against my face but I take no notice. I stab him again and again, smiling to myself as Allegro reels back. His face twisted in utter disgust as I let out a small, high pitched laugh.

I stab him again, feeling a rush of power fly through my body. I turn back to the boy from Two who seems a bit distracted by something happening behind me. I charge at him and he sidesteps to the left, eyes still following whatever's behind me. I sigh, turning quickly to see what it was.

Anne rushes down from our hiding spot, crossbow loaded and ready to fire. Her features complete with a flaming look of determination.

"Fuck." Allegro murmurs and I pivot back to face him. His eyes go wide, looking from me to Anne to Abram's dead, bloody body. I can tell he's running the numbers in his head as he slowly backs up, narrowing his eyes in retreat.

"Abram!" Anne screams, flying towards me. Her arrow point not aimed at Allegro, it aimed directly at me.

"What did I do?" I yell into the smoky air and Allegro takes his moment to turn and sprint away. Damn, he's actually really fast what the fu-

"You killed him!" Anne shouts, shattering me back to reality.

Boom.

Abram's cannon flashes in my ears and I turn, smiling devilishly at Anne.

Allegro June, Day 8

Time: 6:58 AM (6:58)

Quadrant~ Cornucopia

I look back at the girl, conflicted about what I should do before I pivot on my heels, and start to take off. I could at least put up a fight with Ciara but with Anne as well, I wouldn't survive. Not without Abram. I keep running, one foot in front of the other, heart pounding wildly in my ears.

I told myself I wouldn't get close to him, not wanting to be left burned in the end. But I failed, we'd talked for hours upon hours about really anything. My gut had wrenched when Ciara yanked her sword from his stomach, vomit threatening to rise to the occasion. Not vomit, anything but vomit.

It seems like everyone I freaking get close to decides that they're done, getting themselves killed. I know that's selfish, it's not their fault they died. It's mine, If I'd killed Liz or Ciara quicker everything would be different. Everything wouldn't be in absolute pieces. A shattered reality, broken like shards of bloody glass.

I hold the dagger out in my right hand, the blood from Ciara's arm glittering against the cold dark steal. It drips slowly onto the ashes, staining the ground beneath me a dark crimson.

Images of vomit and stabbing fill my brain, pounding away at all my thoughts. For a second I stare at my dagger, my heart pounding in my ears. I ponder the idea of slicing myself. I could just slip away, no one would notice. Not now anyway, not when I've gone and gotten both Kinnik and Abram killed.

Had I killed Liz sooner, sent my knife through her chest sooner. Maybe just maybe- he'd still be here. Keeping me from going off the deep end again. But he's not. That's the thing, he's gone. Slipped from my world in the blink of an eye, vanished at the drop of a hat.

I never planned to feel so strongly about something, but Kinnik, Kinnik was the only thing that ever felt right. The only thing that ever made sense in this fragmented world. Time stopped when Kinnik was around and now that he's gone, the hours creep by like centuries.

I guess, love creeps up in the strangest ways, shattering your whole perspective on everything. I'd never felt anything so weird yet complete being around anyone besides Kinnik. He was everything, everything just to be fucking dead.

I should have known better to let my emotions rule me, it's just my heart melted anytime I glanced at the boy. I remember back to the day of recovery I'd met him in the elevator. I'd actually never told him, or really anyone, but he used the same monster line. The same broken one my little sister had used. Lindsay was a big part of my life back in Two, complete with the same broken stare as Kinnik had.

That's why I wanted to show him the sunset so badly. My sister loved the sunsets and they'd always calm her during an anxiety episode. I wanted to make something right, for once. Sunsets always struck a nerve in my heart, a sting almost. But I saw something else in Kinnik that day, a different shining spark.

Even if it was broken and damaged on the inside, I instantly knew Kinnik was a good guy and my heart swelled. He'd brought out something in me that day, that died alongside the boy. What it is exactly, I will never know but it left me hollow feeling on the inside. A hollow emptiness. A shallow sinking feeling like I've been stabbed in the side and tortured without drawing a drop of glistening blood.

I don't even notice the tears dripping down my hot cheeks until my vision starts to cloud. I can't help but let out a scream into the cold, crisp air. The puffs of smoke circling my frame. I wipe away the burning droplets, my face already blotchy from the patchwork memories.

I feel like sinking to my knees, my chest burning. But I don't, I wipe away the new round of salty tears and continue walking on. I can't even tell what quadrant I'd slipped into but it's fine. With only five other people in the arena, the end is relatively near. Dawning closer, inch by inch.

Ready or not, this is a game and I have to play. Otherwise, my reality will be utterly shattered. Spread across the floor in a flood of raw pouring emotions. Emotions pounding in my head. Shooting at all the determination I had gained volunteering a few weeks ago.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps pound in my ears and I realize my mistake. I'd given out my location to the other tributes. Quickly I dip and hide behind a wall overlooking the small clearing. I let out a small sigh as the nerves in my body flicker through my veins, heart pounding with adrenaline.

Misty Weaver, Day 8

Time: 7:01 AM (7:01)

Quadrant~2

I hear a heavy scream and I whip around to Kai. We hadn't been able to find the cornucopia before the feast, still wandering through this stupid maze. But what we could find, is the source of the scream. It's slight hoarseness suggested masculine but honestly, if this arena's taught me anything, it's to not make assumptions. The voice sounds conflicted, laced deep with cuts of agony.

"What?" I ask but Kai's already taken off toward the source of the noise.

"Slowpoke." Kai laughs and I just roll my eyes.

"Oh come on," I say, heading towards him and the outcry. I pick up my pace, matching my strides to his.

"It's close," Kai murmurs to me and I nod.

"Who?" I ask as Kai comes to a stop in a small gap between two walls. "Huh?" I whisper into the cold air.

"Look down." He says and my heart stops at the sight of crimson droplets shimmering on the ashes in front of our feet.

"What the he-" I start but I'm interrupted by a long knife slicing through the air and straight at my district partner. He screams and so do I. Pain rages through his body as I swivel and turn to see the boy from Two standing ready to fight. Kai groans, clutching an arm to his stomach wound. He kneels to the ground, a glassy look overtaken his eyes.

Allegro darts his eyes between Kai and myself and I tear my expression away from my district partner and face the shorter boy holding his ground. I wipe the sweat from my temple and sprint at the boy, unsheathing my spear in the progress. I throw myself at the boy, knocking him to the ground. He lets out a grunt, grabbing my hoodie and wrapping his legs around my torso. He flings himself up, flipping me onto my back.

A hiss escapes my gritted teeth as he pins my spear to my side. He fiddles in his belt for the dagger resting there. I take his moment of weakness to twist my wrists, shaking him off me. He falls to the ground but rolls to the left to dodge my spear point. I have to give it to the boy, I didn't think he'd actually be any good but I guess I was wrong.

A cannon lights up in my ears and I turn around to Kai. He lays in a pile of his own blood, the liquid staining all of his hoodie a dark crimson. The long knife sitting beside him.

"You bitch." I mutter at the boy and his eyes go wide. He whips around to see the bloody body of my district partner and once ally. I run at the boy, pushing my shoulder into his so he falls again. He lets out another scream, this time not crusted with pain, no, this one lined with determination.

My spear cuts a deep line across his temple as he falls but he takes no notice of the wound and scrambles back to his feet. He brandishes his dagger forward, a glint of fiery ambition stealing his eyes. He launches himself at me, his knife slicing through the air between us as I inhale a deep breath.

I turn, driving my spear down. It collides with his spine and a horrid crack rips through the crisp air around us. He screams out in pure agony, hands running along his back. Allegro falls to his knees, grabbing my spear so I fall beside the boy. He lets out a grunt and blindingly plunges his dagger into my right forearm.

I scream and he pushes the dagger deeper. Both of us screaming in a pile of broken and bloody masses. Allegro rips out the weapon and I hold my other hand to the wound, trying to apply pressure.

Allegro shakily tries to get to his feet but I grab his ankle and he slips. He cries out in agony, pain shattering his skull but he just looks at me for a second. We both take a deep breath before flying to our feet, weapons at the ready. His left arm hangs limply at his side, probably paralyzed from the broken, or what I'd guess is broken, spinal cord.

I slide my spear to the left but he sidesteps around and throws his dagger into my shoulder. Not literally thrown, but he forces the weapon into my flesh and I let out a scream. I grab my spear surely in my right hand, blood covering my palm. Looking at the boy's tan features I send the spear through his chest and his deep amber eyes go wide as boulders.

He doesn't say anything just falls to the ground, clutching his chest as blood pours from the wound. I rip out his dagger from my shoulder and slide the weapon into my sheath. Blood drips from my forearm and shoulder, swirling with the wound I'd received from the bloodbath. I smear the blood across my hoodie's sleeve, trying to apply pressure to the wounds.

7th place- Abram Butcher, stabbed by Ciara Teal

Abram ahhhh I absolutely loved having you in ashes. You brought so much life to ashes and managed to bring light to all of the chapters. Ably is probably my favorite ship of all time, you two were so freaking good together. Shame you both had to die though. Abram, you were one of my all time favorites and I really really didn't want to have to kill you but in the end, Ciara's kinda going on a mad run. You just got in the way. I loved developing your character arc and how you were Lily's knight in shining armor. You were such a fun character to play with and you definitely were the comedic relief to a lot of chapters. RIP… Abram

6th place- Kai Morgan, stomach impaled by Allegro June

Kai Kai Kai ughhhh I absolutely loved you as well. You were such a sweet career and you were so fun to play around with. You brought so much to the pack, even if you were a bit too trusting at times. I really liked showcasing your relationship with your little brother and how much you cared for your siblings. They were everything to you, they were your world. And that was so freaking cute. I've had so much fun developing your character arc and I'm really glad you got to be in my cast. Your end was one I thought of on the fly ngl, I knew Al would run into the careers and kill you but I never knew exactly how. RIP… Kai

5th place- Allegro June, speared by Misty Weaver

Al ahhhh *yes I've been screaming a lot during this chapter, I don't care*. My gosh, you weren't a lot of people's favorites but I really liked you. Your PoVs were always so interesting to write and I've had a lot of fun with you. I really liked yours and Kinnik's relationship and it was pretty cool to expand on the ways both of you responded to death. I feel like I could have done more with you had I killed Kinnik earlier but meh I liked the character arc I gave you for this. You were also one of my favorites so you allying with Abram (another fav) was pretty freaking cool. RIP… Allegro


Alliances-

Oh Fuck Anne Wants to Stab Ciara but Ciara's Ready for Her: Anne, Ciara

Loners-

The Smol Lizardbreath Herself: Elizabeth

Y'all Aren't Ready For Me: Misty


Kill Count (underlined ones are gone)-

Sasha: 1 (D5F, self)

Ciara: 1 (D6F)

Kinnik: 1 (D3F)

Misty: 2 (D9M, D2M)

Kai: 1 (D5M)

Abram: 1 (D12M)

Angel: 2 (D3M, D12F)

Tyree: 1 (D6M, self)

Elizabeth: 1 (D1"M"-NB)

Anne: 1 (D11F)

Zach: 1 (D11"M"-NB)

Allegro: 2 (D2F, D4M)

Liz: 1 (D7M)

Lily: 1 (D1F)

Arena: 2 (D8M, D9F)


A/N: Annnnnd stabbom! Another chapter. Oh. My. Gosh. How are we at the finale? AHHHHHHH I'm so excited to crown a victor oh my. After so freaking long with this story I can't believe I've actually made it this far. Holy crap? I hate getting emotional but shittttt I loved all of these characters and these three were pretty hard to kill off. But I guess we just gotta keep plowing on towards the final one person left! Ideas on who this will be? Who do you think will win Ciara/Anne's fight? (That will be next chapter). Why is Lizardbreath such a mood? She's just vibing alone up in quadrant one while the other tributes are all out here getting stabbed. Lmaooo.

Well, I think that's all but keep an eye out on Jan. 31! The debut of Mission Zero shall appear then :)).

As yeah, as always- have a great day/night/afternoon.

Bye for now,

Marie